Safety envelope



W. F. HAMMEL.

. SAFETY ENVELOPE APPLICATION FILED AUG.17, 1920.

Pafiented Feb. 14, 1922;.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- WALTER r. HAMMEL, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS; ASSIGNOR 'ro ESTHER s.- HAMMEL, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SAFETY ENVELOPE.

Specification of Letters,1atent.

Patented Feb. 14, 1922.

Application filed August 17, 1920. Serial No. 404,157.

a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Safety Envelopes, of which the following is .a specification.

My present invention relates in general to envelopes, and more particularly to what are known as safety-envelopes, and; has particular reference to the provision of an envelope having means for so sealing it that it may not be opened to any extent Without such damage to the sealing means as will render anyslight tampering with the seal obvious upon casual inspection.

The principal objects of my present invention are the provision of an improved envelope specially adapted for permanent closure by means of sealing wax, or the like, and one so characterized that the wax employed for sealing engages not only an outer portion of the envelope structure proper but also another portion carried by such outer portion and reached therethrough; the provision of an envelope characterized generally by the provision of a socket for the reception of sealing wax, and more particularly one wherein such socket is so arranged that the sealing wax engages an underlying surface of the envelope structure; the provision of an envelope characterized generally by the provision of improved auxiliary means for holding down the outer or sealing flap, and more particularly one wherein such auxiliary means is adapted for engagement with the sealing wax used for sealing the envelope; the provision of an envelope characterized generally by the provision of improved means for engagement with sealing wax and particularly one adapted for the employment'of a relatively thin film of wax which while adequate for such purpose will easily break in the event of any tampering with the seal; the provision generally of-an improved form of expansible envelope and more particularly one of the class referred to adapted for use as a safety envelope irrespective of the volume of its contents; together with such further and additional objects as may hereinafter appear.

lVhile structures embodying my present improvements have a' wide range of utility,

I have, for purposes of illustration, illus trated them as embodied in an envelope adapted for the transmission of suchrelatively bulky documents as coupon bonds which may be forwarded through the mails or by express either singly or in sets.

f In the accompanying drawings, thereore, V

Figure 1 is an eleva-tional view of the back of an envelope embodying my pres ent improvements;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary View ofvthe envelope of Figure 1, the retaining and closing flaps being shown in open position;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2; and I Figure 4a is a sectional view of the envelope of Figure 3, but showing the flaps in closed position, the same being taken on line 4-4: of Figure 2.

On inspection of the drawing, it will be apparent that my improved safety envelope structure includes a face portion, 10, a back portion, 11, comprising a back flap, 12, and end flaps, 13, 13, and a closing flap, 14:, the back flap, 12, being provided with an inward-1y turned enclosure retaining flap, 15, for a purpose hereinafter to be described.

The end flaps, 13, preferably overlie the back flap, 12, and are fixed thereto by the employment of adhesive material in the usual manner. I

The closing flap, 1 1, has agummed surface, 16, extending marginally not only across. the entire length of the flz but also towardthe end flaps, 13, as in icated at 17 in Figures 1 and 2, (the extent of the gummed surface being also indicated by the dotted line 18 in Figure 1,) whereby the envelope may be sealed against interference with its contents.

As an additional means for securing the closing flap, 1 1, against both the end flap, 13, and the back flap, 12, the closing flap,

14, is provided, preferably at each end,

with an aperture, 19, adapted to cooperate with an auxiliary closing member, also fixed at each end of the envelope, and now to be described.

The closing member, 20, as here shown, comprises an elongated strip of material, preferably formed of thin sheet metal which may readily be bent.

This auxiliary extension, 20, is fixed to the back, 11, of the structure, and as supplemental means to prevent separation of the end flap, 18, from the back flap, 12,,is preferably so fixed to both of the flaps, 12 and 13, that they are joined together.

To accomplish this fixation of theme/n1 ber, 20, to the flaps, 12 and 13, and to permita desired swinging movement of the member, 20, I find it convenient to use 'a circular eyelet, 21, which thus serves not only as a means for attachment but also as a pivot to afford any desired :variation of they member, 20,relatively to the aperture 19.

Furthermore, as will be evident on inspection of Figure 2 of the drawing, the point where the eyelet passes through the member, 20, and the flaps, 12 and 13, is preferably arranged in oifset relationtothe aperture, 19, in such a manner that the eyelet, 21, is not disclosed when the closing flap, 1 1, is brought against the back flap, 12,"and the end flap, 13, in closing the envelope, but isalso in such oflset relation to the aperture, 19, thatit is fully covered by the back flap, 14. a Y

he aperture 19, is preferably enlarged beyond the immediatenecessity of forming a passage therethrough for the fastening member, 20, to the end that such fastening member may be bent in such a manner as may be'convenient to occupy more or less of the space formed by such aperture, 19, in order, in the first place, that the member, 20,;may hold down the closing flap, 14:, against opening, and in the second place, that said aperture, 19, may not only form a socket; for the reception of the bent-over portions of the member, 20,- but also for the further reception of a seal formed of sealing wax or the like.

As Will be clear on examination and comparison of the closures made at the right hand and left hand ends of the envelope shown in Figure 1, the aperture, 19, is so arranged as not ognly to serve for engagement with the fastening member, 20, but also to disclose underlying parts of the end flaps, 13, and back flap, 12, so that when molten sealingwax'is directed into the socket, 19, it not'only engages the previously bent auxiliary fastening member, 20, but also both of the underlying flaps, that is the back flap, 12, and the adjacent end flap, 13. Further more, inasmuch as the closing flap, 14;, is lifted slightly from the. adjacent portions of the back flap, 12, and the end flap, 13, by the thickness of the member, 20, the molten sealing Wax will flow under the closing flap, 1 1, and on to subjacent portions of the back flap, 12, and end flap, 13, whereby they may be additionally sealed. i

From the foregoing description, it will be understood that owing to the fact that the various bent portions of the member, 20, (see leftwhand end of Figure 1) lie in different planes, when the molten sealing wax is direct-ed into the socket, 19, and the usual metallic seal pressed nto such sealing wax,

there will be but a relatively thin film of ment with the angular bent portions of the closing member, 20, and consequently any attempt to removethe seal in order to open the envelope will be practically certain to break or distorttherwaxseal and similarly that the War: seal may notbe removed. from the envelope; owing to the fact that the member, 20, is anchored therein.

By virtue of giving the opening, 19, an elongated form and also providing themember,,20, with asomewhat extended length, the envelope shown in the drawing is provided with a capacity for quite a consider ablev expansion, without sacrifice of any of the points of benefits and advantages hereinbefore pointed out, the aperture, 19, serving within relatively large limits to disclose underlying parts of the back flap, 12, and end flap, 18, regardlcss of the bulk of the contents of the envelope. I

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim, as new and desire to; secure by Letters Patent 1551- 1.,11 device of the character described comprising, in combination, a receptacle and means for closing the receptacle, one of said membershaving an enlarged opening therethrough, and the other of said members havalien tension arranged in.said opening, said opening andlextension being cor elated for the reception of a sealing means adapted to seat in said enlarged opening and to extend between said receptacle and the means for closing the receptacle.

2. An envelope comprising, a body portion and a closing flap, one of said members being provided with an opening, and an extension secured to the other member at a distance from the opening and arranged to pass therethrough.

3(An envelope comprising, in combination, a body portion and aelosing flap, one of, said members being provided with an enlarged socket and the other of said members being provided with an extension, slightly separating said members and overlying the edge of said socket, and the two members be ing adapted to receive a seal disposed in the socket and engaging both the outer memher and the extension and projecting into the space between the inner and outer members. V

4:. An envelope comprising, in combination, a body portion and a closing flap, one of said members being provided with an enlarged socket and the other of said members being pnvided with an auxiliary metallic extension arranged in said socket and over lying an edge thereof, said extension being raoegase" attached to the underlying member at a point spaced away from saidsocket but under the flap, and the two members being adapted toreceive aflseal disposed in the socket and engaging both the outer member and the'extension.

5. An envelope comprising, in combination, a body portion and a closingflap, one of said members being provided with an: enlarged socket and the otherof said members being provided with an auxiliary metallic extension arranged in said socket and overlying an edge thereof, said extension being attached to the said member at a point spaced away from said socket but under the flap, and the two members being adapted to receive a seal disposed in the socket and engaging both the outer member and the extension.

6. An envelope comprising, in combination, a body portion including side flaps and a back flap, and a closing flap, said closing flap being provided with an enlarged socket, and one of the side flaps and the back flap overlapping each other, and an auxiliary metallic extension fixed to overlapping portions of said side and back flaps, and arranged in said socket, and said closing flap overlying the point of fixation of said extension to said overlapping portions, and the socket and the flap underlying the socket be ing adapted to receive a seal engaging said extension.

7 An envelope comprising, in combination, a body portion including side flaps and a backfiap, and a closing flap, said closing flap being provided with an enlarged socket, and one of the side flaps and the back flap overlapping each other, and an auxiliary metallic extension fixed to overlapping portions of said side and back flaps, and arranged in said socket, and said closing flap overlying the point of fixation of said extension to said overlapping portions and said socket overlying both said side and back flaps, and the socket and the flaps underlying the socket being adapted to receive a seal engaging said extension.

8. A device of the character described comprising, in combination, a receptacle and means for closing the same, means extending from the receptacle and engaging the clos ing means, said engaging means being spaced from the underlying portion of said receptacle, and said closing means and engaging means receiving a sealing medium entering the space between said latter means and the underlying portion of the receptacle.

9. An envelope comprising a body portion and a flap, one of said members being provided with an opening and means for spacing said flap "from said body portion adjacent said opening whereby a fluid sealing means positioned in the opening will flow into the space between the body and the flap.

10: A device of thecharacter described, comprising, in combination, a body portion,

applied over said member and socket and having 'aart'lyin'g between the member and body; and between the flap and said body.

11. An envelope comprising a body portion and a flap, one of said members being provided with an opening spaced from the underlying body portion, whereby a fluid sealing means positioned in the opening will flow into the space between the body and the flap.

12. In a device of the class described, in combination, an envelope having a body and a closing flap provided with a socket, a flexible element anchored to the body at a point spaced from the socket and adapted to extend to the socket and overlie one edge thereof to form a space between the flexible element and the underlying portion of the body, and a sealing means engaging over said socket and flexible element and lying between the latter and the body and between said body and the closing flap.

13. An envelope, comprising, in combina tion, a body portion including a side flap and a back flap, and a closing flap, overlapping part of the back flap, and said closing flap being provided with an enla'rged'socket exposing portions of the underlying side flap and back flap whereby the closing flap, back flap and side flap can be united by a single seal.

14. An envelope comprising, in combination, a body portion and a closing flap, one of said. members being provided with an enlarged socket to expose a substantial portion of the parts therebeneath and the other memher being provided with an auxiliary portion passing freely through said socket and occupying but a small part pf the area of the socket whereby a seal covering the socket will also engage the parts exposed therebe neath as well as the auxiliary portion, thus securely sealing the parts against opening.

15. An envelope comprising, in combination, a body portion and a closing flap, one of said members being provided with an enlarged socket to expose a substantial portion of the parts there-beneath and the other member being provided with means to the side of said socket for spacing the closing flap from the body portion whereby sealing means poured onto said socket will work its way down between the closing flap and the body of the envelope.

16. In a device of the class described, in combination, an envelope having a body and a closing flap provided with a socket, a flexible element anchored to the body at a point spaced from the socket and adapted to extend through the sooket from a position be-;

10 tion and a closing flap, one of said members.

being provided with an opening, and an extension secnredto the other member at a distance from the opening and arranged to pass therethrough, said'extension being positioned between the body and theflap and 15 having its free end passing through the opening.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name. i .i i

- WALTER F. HAMMEL. 

